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US Ethereum Foundation Backs Tornado Cash Co-Founder Amid Legal Battles

The Ethereum Foundation has committed $500,000 to support the legal defense of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, who faces serious federal charges in the United States.

In addition, the foundation will match up to $750,000 in contributions from the community, highlighting the increasing concern over the prosecution of open-source developers.

Storm’s trial is set for July 14, 2025, and he is charged with multiple offenses, including operating an unlicensed money transmitter and conspiracy to launder money.

The foundation’s donation underscores its commitment to privacy and open-source development, asserting that “Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.”

Storm has been indicted for his role in Tornado Cash, a service accused of facilitating the laundering of over $1 billion in illicit funds since its inception.

As U.S. authorities tighten scrutiny on privacy-centric crypto tools, the outcome of this case could significantly impact the future of decentralized finance (DeFi).

Notably, the legal actions against Storm and his co-founders, including a recently convicted developer, raise crucial questions about the extent of developers’ responsibilities for their creations.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly backed Storm, donating 50 ETH to support the legal fight, further amplifying the community's response to the ongoing legal pressures.

As this landmark case approaches, the support from the Ethereum Foundation and the broader community reflects a pivotal moment for both privacy rights and the future of decentralized technologies.

With the stakes so high, the trial will undoubtedly serve as a critical juncture for the crypto industry and its developers.